Content about Medical prescription

March 20, 2013

Pharmacy interoperability and emerging care models: Conversations from HIMSS13

One major theme resonating across the show floor at HIMSS13 was the importance of interoperability within healthcare ecosystems. Emdeon's Lathe Bigler discusses how interoperability in the pharmacy space has been centered on advances in e-prescribing and clinical messaging.

In early March, more than 30,000 healthcare industry participants swarmed upon New Orleans for the annual HIMSS conference. In the words of keynote speaker James Carville, this is the Super Bowl of conventions. Most attendees arrived on Sunday to discover a water outage warning. Even when the water pressure returned to normal, the message was clear — do not drink it! On Monday morning, there was not a latte to be found in the entire city. We were roughing it…

July 18, 2012

How suppliers can create value for retailers

As part of the Executive Viewpoint Series, DSN talked to Dan Mack — DSN expert blogger, EVP strategic sales at The Swanson Group and managing director of Mack Elevation Forum — discusses his unique perspective on what suppliers should focus on when engaging with retailers and what "blind spots" they should be wary of.

AUDIO Q&A: As part of the Executive Viewpoint Series, DSN talked to Dan Mack — DSN expert blogger, EVP strategic sales at The Swanson Group and managing director of Mack Elevation Forum — who discussed his unique perspective on what suppliers should focus on when engaging with retailers, and what "blind spots" they should be wary of.

July 11, 2012

Highlights from Cardinal Health RBC 2012

DSN talked to Cardinal Health SVP independent sales Steve Lawrence about the big news from Cardinal’s 2012 Retail Business Conference, including a best practices competition for its customers, its Women in Pharmacy program and Cardinal’s joint outreach program with the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse.

AUDIO Q&A: DSN talked to Cardinal Health SVP independent sales Steve Lawrence about the big news from Cardinal’s 2012 Retail Business Conference, including a best practices competition for its customers, its Women in Pharmacy program and Cardinal’s joint outreach program with the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse.

March 5, 2012

Pharmacy benefit wars

Radio Health Journal's Reed Pence talks with DSN editor in chief Rob Eder; Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness Kermit Crawford; Express Scripts senior director of public affairs Brian Henry; and former Walgreens pharmacy customer Virginia Greathouse about the causes and impact of the Walgreens-ESI dispute.

August 24, 2011

Annual Prescriber Report 2011

Behind every prescription that lands at the pharmacy counter is a series of events that influence the prescriber’s decision. Powered by data from SDI Health, Drug Store News goes inside the examination room in this exclusive report, providing an in-depth look at the critical factors that shape pharmaceutical sales trends and shift market share from one drug to another in 10 key market segments.

Behind every prescription that lands at the pharmacy counter is a series of events that influence the prescriber’s decision. Powered by data from SDI Health, Drug Store News goes inside the examination room in this exclusive report, providing an in-depth look at the critical factors that shape pharmaceutical sales trends and shift market share from one drug to another in 10 key market segments.

Click below to download the complete PDF of the 2011 Annual Prescriber Report.

May 14, 2013

Cardinal Health Foundation: 'America's biggest drug problem ... in our medicine cabinets.'

A new infographic released Tuesday created by the Cardinal Health Foundation and The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy helps illustrate prescription drug abuse in the United States.

DUBLIN, Ohio — A new infographic released Tuesday created by the Cardinal Health Foundation and The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy helps illustrate prescription drug abuse in the United States.

Approximately 70% of people who abuse prescription medications get them from family or friends, often from medicine cabinets. On average, more than 10,000 people in the U.S. abuse prescription medications for the first time each day.

May 14, 2013

Study finds large numbers of students abuse prescription drugs to cope with stress of finals

Finals can be a stressful time for any college or graduate student, with many hours spent studying and few spent socializing or relaxing. But many students are using prescription drugs to get through finals, according to a new study.

WASHINGTON — Finals can be a stressful time for any college or graduate student, with many hours spent studying and few spent socializing or relaxing. But many students are using prescription drugs to get through finals, according to a new study.

May 13, 2013

N.J. law designed to address prescription eye drop adherence

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation into law that will allow patients using prescription eye drops to get early refills in order to prevent interruptions in therapy.

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation into law Monday that will allow patients using prescription eye drops to get early refills in order to prevent interruptions in therapy.

May 10, 2013

FDA must file Plan B appeal by noon on May 13 or remove age restrictions from all OTC EC products

Senior U.S. District Judge Edward Korman on Friday denied a Food and Drug Administration motion for a stay pending an appeal of Korman's earlier decision that all levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives be available without a prescription and without any age restrictions.

NEW YORK — Senior U.S. District Judge Edward Korman on Friday denied a Food and Drug Administration motion for a stay pending an appeal of Korman's earlier decision that all levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives be available without a prescription and without any age restrictions.

However, Korman did grant a stay "pending the hearing or submission of the defendants’ motion for a stay in the Court of Appeals on the condition that the motion for a stay be filed by noon on May 13, 2013."

May 9, 2013

DEA collects more than 740,000 pounds of unused drugs

The Drug Enforcement Administration collected more than 371 tons of unused medications last month as part of its sixth annual drug take-back program, the agency said.

WASHINGTON — The Drug Enforcement Administration collected more than 371 tons of unused medications last month as part of its sixth annual drug take-back program, the agency said.

May 9, 2013

NCPA favors Medicare Prescription Drug Program Integrity and Transparency Act

Bipartisan legislation that would let pharmacists devote more time to Medicare beneficiaries and less to adjudicating claims with pharmacy benefit management firms was introduced in the U.S. Senate and won the backing of the National Community Pharmacists Association earlier this week.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Bipartisan legislation that would let pharmacists devote more time to Medicare beneficiaries and less to adjudicating claims with pharmacy benefit management firms was introduced in the U.S. Senate and won the backing of the National Community Pharmacists Association earlier this week.

May 9, 2013

Patient Views - May 2013 Methodology

AccentHealth collected data through an online survey conducted from Feb. 13 to 15, 2013. Participants responded via AccentHealth's national, online panel of network viewers, and the survey yielded 644 respondents who were at least 18 years of age and owned either a smartphone, cell phone with Internet access or a tablet.

AccentHealth collected data through an online survey conducted from April 16 to 18, 2013. Participants responded via AccentHealth's national, online panel of network viewers, and the survey yielded 698 respondents who were at least 18 years of age.

All data is self-reported and not validated.

Below is the demographic breakdown of the respondents and their behavior:

Gender

May 9, 2013

Senators propose legislation to carve out 'compounding manufacturers' subject to FDA regulation

One of the difficulties that federal regulators ran into during the nationwide scandal surrounding the New England Compounding Center — the Massachusetts-based pharmacy blamed for a nationwide fungal meningitis epidemic that has sickened hundreds and killed dozens — was the issue of when such pharmacies cross the line from compounding to manufacturing.

WASHINGTON — One of the difficulties that federal regulators ran into during the nationwide scandal surrounding the New England Compounding Center — the Massachusetts-based pharmacy blamed for a nationwide fungal meningitis epidemic that has sickened hundreds and killed dozens — was the issue of when such pharmacies cross the line from compounding to manufacturing.

May 9, 2013

The beauty of health and wellness

While beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, this month's Patient Views seeks to better understand beauty in the eye of the patient.

While beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, this month's Patient Views seeks to better understand beauty in the eye of the patient. AccentHealth viewers — 73% of which are female — were surveyed as to the relationship between health and beauty, as well as their purchasing of personal care products in the areas of hair care, body care, oral care, cosmetics and more.

May 8, 2013

Perrigo: $10 billion in Rx sales may switch OTC through 2018

There is as much as $10 billion in branded pharmaceutical sales that could make the switch from prescription-only to over-the counter in the next five years, suggested Joseph Papa, Perrigo chairman, CEO and president, to analysts on Tuesday.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — There is as much as $10 billion in branded pharmaceutical sales that could make the switch from prescription-only to over-the counter in the next five years, suggested Joseph Papa, Perrigo chairman, CEO and president, to analysts on Tuesday. And as much as $5 billion in the next three years.

May 7, 2013

NCPA highlights Taxpayers Protection Alliance report criticizing mail-order pharmacy

Federal prescription drug programs are more susceptible to waste, fraud and abuse because of the lack of transparency and oversight of mail-order pharmacy, proclaimed the Taxpayers Protection Alliance on Tuesday in a report called “The Expensive Truth Behind Taxpayer-Funded Mail Order Pharmaceuticals.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Federal prescription drug programs are more susceptible to waste, fraud and abuse because of the lack of transparency and oversight of mail-order pharmacy, proclaimed the Taxpayers Protection Alliance on Tuesday in a report called “The Expensive Truth Behind Taxpayer-Funded Mail Order Pharmaceuticals.”

May 7, 2013

Survey: 4-in-10 seniors concerned over Rx cost; half of those delay refills or skip doses to make do

A Walgreens survey found that 37% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries have daily concerns about their prescription drug costs, and 1-in-5 say they’ve had to make sacrifices, such as delaying filling a prescription or skipping doses, to help manage medication costs.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A Walgreens survey released Tuesday found that 37% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries have daily concerns about their prescription drug costs, and 1-in-5 say they’ve had to make sacrifices, such as delaying filling a prescription or skipping doses, to help manage medication costs.

That's almost 11.7 million seniors.

May 6, 2013

CVS handles back-end functions as Pfizer sells Viagra online

Pfizer is attempting to stem the rise of counterfeit medicines by selling one of its most popular drugs — and one of the most popular targets for counterfeiters — online.

NEW YORK — Pfizer is attempting to stem the rise of counterfeit medicines by selling one of its most popular drugs — and one of the most popular targets for counterfeiters — online.

The drug maker announced that it had launched Viagra (sildenafil citrate) home delivery, a prescription-fulfillment website for the drug, which is powered by CVS/pharmacy and accessible through Viagra.com.

May 6, 2013

FDA Law Blog: Recent Plan B One Step approval may reignite simultaneous Rx-OTC debate

The Food and Drug Administration may soon find itself in another Plan-B-generated quandary — the complications around granting a three-year marketing exclusivity for a medicine that is both prescription-only and over-the-counter, according to an FDA Law Blog posted Sunday by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration may soon find itself in another Plan-B-generated quandary — the complications around granting a three-year marketing exclusivity for a medicine that is both prescription-only and over-the-counter, according to an FDA Law Blog posted Sunday by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara.

May 6, 2013

New Jersey attorney general's office releases anticrime best practices for pharmacy

Retail pharmacies, drug makers and law enforcement have a variety of methods used to fight organized crime, and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has drawn up a list of best practices that pharmacies can use to keep stores, drugs, staff and customers safe.

NEW YORK — Retail pharmacies, drug makers and law enforcement have a variety of methods used to fight organized crime, and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has drawn up a list of best practices that pharmacies can use to keep stores, drugs, staff and customers safe.

May 3, 2013

Expansion of in-store health kiosks setting stage for pharmacy web of improved-outcome solutions

Kinney Drugs, with its almost-100 locations located primarily in upstate New York, is the latest pharmacy to capitalize on the robust offerings available through in-store health kiosks. Because it isn't only about taking that random blood pressure check anymore.

No, the in-store health kiosks going into stores today are designed to augment outcomes-based health care. For example, through the use of "smart cards," PharmaSmart helps track historical health metrics across its trademarked Blood Pressure Tracker web portal.

May 3, 2013

NCPA lobbies Hawaii governor to sign two 'pharmacy-friendly' pieces of legislation

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday urged Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie to sign two bills into law that the association asserts will "protect patient pharmacy choice."

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday urged Hawaii Gov.

May 2, 2013

NACDS joins 'Partnership for Advancing Medication Adherence'

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced its membership in “Prescriptions for a Healthy America: A Partnership for Advancing Medication Adherence."

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced its membership in “Prescriptions for a Healthy America: A Partnership for Advancing Medication Adherence."

May 2, 2013

Rite Aid comps decrease amid earlier Easter, new generics

Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased 4% in April compared with April 2012 due to an earlier Easter and introductions of new generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased 4% in April compared with April 2012 due to an earlier Easter and introductions of new generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The numbers released Thursday included a 3.5% decrease in sales on the front end and a 4.2% decrease in pharmacy sales, but the pharmacy figure included a 4.54% negative effect due to new generics. Same-store prescription count decreased by 0.2%.

Total sales for the month were $1.902 billion, a 4.6% decrease over April 2012's $1.993 billion.

May 1, 2013

FDA approves Plan B One-Step front-end placement for females 15 and older

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved an amended application submitted by Teva Women’s Health to market Plan B One-Step (active ingredient levonorgestrel) for use without a prescription by women 15 years and older.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced that it has approved an amended application submitted by Teva Women’s Health to market Plan B One-Step (active ingredient levonorgestrel) for use without a prescription by women 15 years and older. The approval will move Plan B from behind the pharmacy counter into the family planning set of the pharmacy.